The Ancient Greek Civilization 8A | Marathon 107But it was one hundred fi fty miles from Athens to Sparta, and
some of the journey included rugged mountains and streams.^10
The generals knew they would need a runner who was fast and
strong.
Show image 8A-3: Pheidippides beginning his run
“Pheidippides (fi e-DIH-pih-deez) is our man,” the generals
agreed. “No one in Athens can touch him for speed over a long
distance.” So they sent swift-footed Pheidippides to call on the
Spartans for help.^11
Then the generals called together all ten thousand Athenian
men of fi ghting age. In every Athenian home there were tearful
goodbyes. At last, the Athenians started off toward the plain of
Marathon, about twenty-six miles away.
Show image 8A-4: Persians
Meanwhile, the Persians were camped on the beach near the
edge of the plain. The Persian commander-in-charge told his men,
“We will win such a great victory here for King Darius that the rest
of the Greeks will simply surrender to us.”
The Persians were so confi dent, their commander took no
special steps to guard his camp other than sending the cavalry off
on their horses to search the area a few times a day.^12
Show image 8A-5: Pheidippides approaching Spartan kings
As all this was happening, the strong legs and powerful heart
of the Athenian messenger, Pheidippides, carried him toward
Sparta. Pheidippides ran as he had never run before, stopping
only a few times to drink from streams or rivers. He ran for almost
three days until he reached Sparta and the two Spartan kings.
“You must come with your armies at once, or it will be too late!” he
explained.^13
To his horror, the Spartan kings answered, “We cannot leave
before tomorrow. Sparta is in the middle of a religious holiday
honoring the gods, and our law says we must fi nish before we can
leave to fi ght.”^1410 [Show distance on Poster 1.]
11 Why did the Athenian generals
send their fastest runner to Sparta?
Will the Spartans be willing to help
the Athenians fi ght the Persians?
12 Why was the Persian army so
confi dent they would win the
fi ght?
13 Can you imagine running for
almost three days?
14 The Spartans were celebrating a
nine-day festival called Karneia to
honor Apollo as the protector of
their cattle.